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Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation in Relation to Central Sensitization in Osteoarthritis of the Knee

NCT01390285 · Status: UNKNOWN · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 98

Last updated 2011-07-11

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Background

Central sensitization has recently been documented in patients with knee osteoarthritis. So far, the presence of central sensitization has not been considered as a confounding factor in studies assessing the pain inhibitory effect of TENS on osteoarthritis of the knee.

Purpose

First, to explore the pain inhibitory effect of burst TENS in OAk patients. Second, to explore the prognostic value of central sensitization on the pain inhibitory effect of TENS in Oak patients.

Methods

Patients with knee pain due to OAk will be recruited through advertisements in local media. Temporal summation, before and after a heterotopic noxious conditioning stimulation, will be measured. In addition, pain on a numeric rating score and WOMAC subscores for pain and function will be assessed. Patients will be randomly allocated to one of two treatment groups (TENS, sham TENS). Follow-up measurements will be scheduled after a period of 6 and 12 weeks.

Discussion/ conclusion

TENS influences pain through the electrical stimulation of low-threshold A-beta cutaneous fibers. The responsiveness of central pain-signaling neurons of OAk patients who are centrally sensitized may be augmented to the input of these electrical stimuli. This would encompass an adverse therapy effect of TENS. Therefore it might be interesting to identify a subgroup of symptomatic OAk patients, ie. non-sensitized patients, who are likely to benefit from burst TENS.

Conditions

  • Osteoarthritis, Knee

Interventions

DEVICE

Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation

The subjects that enter the TENS-group will be asked to apply the TENS therapy for at least 40 minutes continuously per day. The parameters of the current will not be changed during the study (pulse: 250 µsec; internal frequency: 100Hz; burst frequency 3 Hz; intensity: until an unpleasant but not painful sensation is acquired).

DEVICE

sham transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation

The patients that are assigned to the sham TENS will receive an inactive placebo TENS therapy using a nonfunctional unit that appears to work but provides no stimulus.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Vrije Universiteit Brussel

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
50 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2012-02-29
Primary Completion
2013-03-31
Completion
2014-03-31

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT01390285 on ClinicalTrials.gov